# Sign Regulations in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Hot Springs, Arkansas, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Hot Springs, Arkansas (AR)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/arkansas/hot-springs
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-06
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/AR/Hot_Springs/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT16PLZO_CH5SICO)

## At a glance

Hot Springs, Arkansas regulates 16 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), Mixed Use Planned Development, Industrial District (M-1, M-2) zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 250 sq ft per side, with a Must not project over property line. Setback sufficient for safe sight distances at intersections/driveways. setback (Sec. 16-5-21 (a)-(c), 16-5-22, 16-5-23, 16-5-24(b)). Most commercial signs in Hot Springs require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), Mixed Use Planned Development, Industrial District (M-1, M-2) | 4 | 35 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — |
| C-TR | 2 | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Residential Planned Development, Residential Subdivision, Multifamily Development | 1 | — | 48 sq ft per sign (per side) | — |
| Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), Mixed Use Planned Development, Industrial District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft for any one sign; aggregate all wall signs not more than 20% of wall area | — | — | No stated limit, subject to aggregate size | On building wall | — | 16-5-20 (a), (b), (f), (g) |
| Projecting Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft per side | — | — | As allowed for wall signage | Projecting from building wall | — | 16-5-20 (c) |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — | Must not project over property line. Setback sufficient for safe sight distances at intersections/driveways. | 1 per lot, see exceptions in 16-5-22 | On the lot, not projecting over property line | — | 16-5-21 (a)-(c), 16-5-22, 16-5-23, 16-5-24(b) |
| Roof Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | In lieu of wall/freestanding sign only | On roof structure or parapet wall. | — | 16-5-24(c) |

### C-TR

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | Only one wall sign allowed | On street-facing building wall | — | 16-5-20(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Must not project over property line. Setback as needed for traffic safety. | 1 per lot unless eligible for exceptions in 16-5-22 | On lot; may not project over property line | — | 16-5-21(d), 16-5-23(b) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | See 16-5-12 exemptions. Common: up to 32 sq ft noncommercial for 90 days/year (max 4 signs at once) | — | — | See specific category | Varies | — | 16-5-6, 16-5-12 |
| Offsite (Billboard) Sign | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per face | — | — | Depends on spacing (≥300 ft apart) | On private property, not over public right-of-way, not visible from State Highway/scenic corridors. | — | 16-5-30, 16-5-31, 16-5-33 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential, single family to five units) | 6 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On lot advertised | — | 16-5-12(13)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential multifamily, five units or more) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On lot advertised | — | 16-5-12(13)(b) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial, industrial and quiet business) | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On lot advertised | — | 16-5-12(13)(c) |
| Parking Informational Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | At parking lot entrance | — | 16-5-12(12) |
| Reader Board (Drive-Thru Lane) | 12 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | Drive-thru lane | — | 16-5-12(11) |
| Yard Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Varies (temporary) | — | 16-5-2 (definition) |

## Prohibited signs in Hot Springs

- No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated, or altered without a permit, except as otherwise provided.
- No sign may contain or be illuminated by flashing or intermittent light or lights of changing degrees of intensity that shine or flash in a way that can be confused with official traffic signals or emergency vehicles, nor may they shine in such a way that they are a nuisance to occupants of neighboring property or to obscure the view of oncoming vehicular traffic.
- No sign may be located so that it substantially interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets, private roads, or driveways.
- No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message, it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies.
- All signs must be designed and constructed to meet all requirements pertaining to sign design and construction as stated in the city building code.
- No sign may project over a property line.
- No person may, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing the visibility of any sign, damage, trim, destroy, or remove any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation within the right-of-way of any public street or road, unless authorized, or on property not under ownership/control, unless authorized.
- No offsite signs are allowed within the city limits except as provided for or approved under the Logo Signing Program or as specifically permitted by the Code.
- No person may engage in any activity that causes an increase in the extent of nonconformity of a nonconforming sign; nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, altered, moved, illuminated, or rebuilt unless in conformance.
- No sign may be erected, constructed, attached, hung, placed, suspended, or affixed in a manner contrary to this Code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hot Springs

- Signs not exceeding four square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use and that are not of a commercial nature, such as property identification, occupant names, mailbox signs, and warning signs.
- Signs erected by or on behalf of, or authorized by, a government body.
- Official signs erected by public utilities.
- Flags or insignia of any governmental organization.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of a building.
- Signs directing or guiding traffic on private property that do not exceed six square feet each.
- Off-premises directional signs that do not exceed four square feet and are located on private property.
- Signs permanently painted or applied to the body of a currently licensed motor vehicle when such vehicle is necessary to the conduct of business and not primarily used as a sign (must relate directly to the business; no sign board may be attached except as permitted for vehicles for hire).
- Seasonal parking lot signs that meet requirements set by ordinance.
- Signs attached to no more than 25 percent of the interior of a building window or glass door at any time.
- Reader boards located on drive thru lanes that do not exceed 80 square feet in surface area and 12 feet in height.
- At each parking lot entrance, one sign not exceeding 24 square feet is allowed.
- Real estate signs: Each building or separate parcel for sale, rental, or lease is permitted one sign per street frontage, subject to size and height limits by zoning/usage (must be removed after sale, lease, or rental).
- When a building permit is active, not more than one sign may be erected per contractor per site, not exceeding 100 square feet, erected after permit issuance and removed within 30 days after project completion.
- Signs erected in connection with elections or political campaigns, as governed by applicable ordinances.
- Grand opening signs may be erected not more than two weeks before the event and removed no later than three days after the event.
- Temporary signs erected for approved events on publicly owned property, allowed 48 hours prior and removed the day after; restricted to the event site unless otherwise approved.
- Permanent signs on airport property approved by the airport manager: each leaseholder allowed one permanent freestanding sign, max 32 square feet and 8 feet tall, located near lessee's location and removed within 30 days of lease termination.
- Third party advertising and informational signs/displays on public transit vehicles operated by a government agency.
- Temporary signs and banners, except as restricted in Malvern Avenue Overlay District. (Review annually, but still subject to miscellaneous restrictions, maintenance standards, and offsite sign regulations.)
- Open and closed signs not exceeding two square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All new offsite signs require planning commission approval prior to issuance of a permit.
- All signs constructed or altered in commercial or mixed use planned development zones must be approved by the planning commission.
- Roof signs must be approved by the planning commission and meet building code requirements.
- The planning commission hears all appeals and requests for deviation from the literal provisions of the Code, and may impose conditions when granting deviations.
- A master sign plan or allocation formula may be suggested by the administrator in the case of developments occupied by multiple business enterprises, but the administrator enforces only the Code's provisions.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Hot Springs — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hot+Springs+AR&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hot-springs

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